Irwin Juckes of Edenvale RiverWatch raised concerns about the thoroughness of a study done of the upper Eastleigh catchment area.
Juckes, who has a wealth of knowledge about Edenvale’s waterways, said his primary concern is the exclusion floodline information of the Buurendal suburb.
The study was prepared by SRK Consulting and its objective was to provide the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) with information regarding the 1:50 and 1:100-year flood line.
The information will be used to make decisions on remediating infrastructure and future developments.
Juckes, however, believes this is not enough as the flood which occurred on November 2016, was described by Fourth Element Consulting as a 1:100-year and a 1:500-year event in their study (Fourth Element, 2017. Preliminary review of the Highveld Storm on November 9, 2016. TN/3/2017. www.fourthelement.co.za).
Because the studies will be used by constructors, developers and town planners, Juckes believes it is vital that they be as detailed as possible.
Also read: ‘The need for greater environmental awareness’ – Edenvale River Watch
He highlighted the importance of the present study to display correlation with what happened in 2016.
“These studies are not done frequently; it is important that the right information is recorded.”
Juckes explained that before Edenvale and the surrounding areas were developed, the Buurendal River was still visible.
“When residential development started in the ’70s, the stream was placed underground, running through pipes which were of adequate size at the time.”
As Meadowdale and Tunney developed in the ’90s, more water flowed into Edenvale due to a lack of permeable surfaces.
He said during heavy rains like that of November 2016, the pipes north of the R24 could not accommodate the volume of water.
Also read: Sewage pollutes Gilloolly’s Dam
When this occurred, water overflowed from the Buurendal attenuation dam into Donald Avenue and into residential properties.
“The flood water takes its natural route, which is across the suburbs, differing from the direct underground route.”
Juckes believes approximately 80 Buurendal properties were affected by the 2016 floods.
He said since then the attenuation dam has overflowed a further three times.
“The flood line map in the study of the upper Eastleigh catchment area shows no risk for Buurendal and the path of the floodwater when floods occur.”
Juckes urged community members, including those affected by floods, to have their say and to register as affected individuals.
He said public participation ends on August 12.
Visit Edenvale RiverWatch Facebook page for more information or email irwin@edenvaleriverwatch.co.za
On July 11, a request for comment was sent to SRK Consulting, who advised the NEWS to seek comment from the CoE.
A request for comment was sent to the CoE’s communications department on July 12, requesting comment by July 15 at 8.30am.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
